Cartmell Shepherd expands West Cumbria team with senior appointment
Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, which operates across Cumbria and Northumberland, has recruited Lynne McFaul who brings more than 30 years’ experience in commercial property to the law firm.
Lynne lives in Cockermouth and will be based at Cartmell Shepherd’s office in the town.
Lynne will work with clients across Cumbria and nationally as part of Cartmell Shepherd’s commercial property team.
Lynne said: “Being part of the Cartmell Shepherd team offers me the opportunity to deal with high quality work within an established, well regarded regional law firm and with clients from a wide variety and scope of businesses.
“I’m very much looking forward to working closely with clients to find the right legal solutions for them.”
Peter Stafford, managing director of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “As demand for our services grows, we remain committed to investing in quality, experience and expertise within our team to provide excellent legal advice and guidance for our clients.
“Lynne is a brilliant addition to our commercial property team. Her experience and expertise will help us to continue to deliver the best possible service for our clients.”
Cranston’s apprentice Leah features in national media campaign
Cranston’s apprentice Leah Fraser is currently featuring in a Department of Education media campaign to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.
Leah was chosen as one of four apprentices from different industries including nuclear engineering, gardening and aeronautics. The short social media film highlights that apprentices learn valuable work skills, earn a wage while they learn, gain hands on experience, and increase their earning potential.
Cumbrian butchers Cranston’s has offered apprenticeships for many years, teaching people butchery craft skills in a work environment.
Leah has recently completed her Level 2 apprenticeship in butchery, and was excited to be chosen by the Department of Education.
Leah said: “It was fun to be involved in this national campaign. I’ve been an apprentice at Cranston’s for just over two years now, and I’ve already learned so much.
“The balance of being able to learn lifelong skills while still earning a wage is invaluable. I was excited to be chosen to show my skill. I loved being filmed and it was interesting to reflect on what the apprenticeship means to me.
“One day I hope to progress to supervisor, and possibly have my own shop. My main goal right now is to become a master butcher.”
Award win for Nuclear Transport Solutions apprentice
Lewis Wilkinson, a business services assistant apprentice, won the Professional Services Apprentice of the Year award at this year’s apprenticeship awards at Carlisle College.
Lewis was praised for his dedication, work ethic and attitude at the ceremony held on Thursday 1st February at Carlisle College.
Lewis said: “I was so happy just to be nominated so to win was a real shock, I was genuinely speechless.
“My apprenticeship is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I couldn’t be happier at NTS, they’ve really looked after me and helped me develop through the process.”
Seth Kybird, NTS CEO said: “We’re really proud of our apprenticeship programme and the calibre of apprentices we have is fantastic. I’m delighted for Lewis and hope he continues to develop at this outstanding pace, he has a very bright future here.”
Armstrong Watson promotes audit and assurance director in Cumbria
Armstrong Watson has made a key promotion in its senior management team in Cumbria as one of the firm’s former accounting trainees has risen through the ranks to the role of director.
Lauren Graham joined Armstrong Watson as a 24-year-old trainee in 2013 and has now been promoted to audit and assurance director.
Her promotion comes as the firm marks National Apprenticeship Week 2024, celebrating the considerable difference its apprentices and trainees make to the business.
Initially joining the firm’s Hexham office, Lauren completed her AAT apprenticeship and went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant, gaining her ACA in 2018, before taking on managerial roles in 2020.
Lauren, who is now based at James Watson House in Carlisle, has expertise in audit, risk management and quality assurance, working with companies, charities and academies, and has been involved in some of Armstrong Watson’s most complex and challenging audit engagements. She has also shown great leadership and mentoring skills, supporting and training the audit team.
Lauren said: “I thoroughly enjoy working for Armstrong Watson and I am incredibly proud of our audit and assurance team and all that we achieve.
“We have seen significant growth in Cumbria and the team has worked hard to deliver for our new and existing clients. We continue to invest in our team to support this growth, and with more in the pipeline I’m excited for what’s to come in my new role.”
Joanna Gray, head of audit and assurance said: “Recognising and nurturing the talent we currently have within the firm is integral to our growth, and Lauren has shown this in abundance.
She has achieved remarkable results and has contributed significantly to the success and growth of Armstrong Watson. Her promotion is well-deserved and reflects her hard work, dedication and professionalism.”
Apprentice climbs the ranks at Carlisle law firm
A legal trainee has become a qualified legal executive after leaving school at 17 to start work as an apprentice for Carlisle law firm Wragg Mark-Bell.
Codie Slessor had only studied law for a year as a sixth former at Richard Rose Morton Academy when he made the big decision.
Now aged 27, he has just qualified as a fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is celebrating a 10-year milestone at the firm.
Codie said: “No one day is the same and I love it. When I was first offered the job here I imagined lots of suits and big desks, but this is a people job and we are a very approachable and friendly team.”
Codie worked on reception for a year before he moved across to the crime department where he then went on to become qualified to represent clients at the police station and often assisted the firm’s solicitors and barristers in the Crown Court. His specialism is now conveyancing, but he is still on call one night a week as an Accredited Police Station Representative at the police station.
Nick Kennon, managing director at the firm said: “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Codie is a shining example of what can be achieved.
“It has been a pleasure to observe and support his personal and professional development over the last ten years.
“From joining us as an NVQ Level 2 apprentice, through training as a police station representative to becoming a legal executive in conveyancing, Codie continues to be a real asset to our team.”
New facilities manager appointed at H&H Group
H&H Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Karl Stout as facilities manager for Harrison & Hetherington and will be based at the company’s Head Office at Borderway Mart in Carlisle.
Karl joins H&H after 14 years working for another firm as an operations and people manager, working in partnership with local authorities.
Borderway has become one of the largest and most progressive livestock sales centres in the UK, and the mart sites are crucial hubs for their support of the livestock farming sector and for their wider rural communities.
Karl will cover the day-to-day management and maintenance of all the Group’s Farmstock facilities.
Group CEO Richard Rankin said: “Agriculture is going through a period of profound change at this time, and this makes it even more critical for our livestock trading services to offer our customers the best of both traditional support and the latest in technology and facilities when buying and selling with us.
“Karl’s professional expertise and track record, and his experience and understanding of the nature of our business makes him the perfect fit for us; in crucial areas such as health & safety and regulatory compliance, he will make a major contribution to the business and to the welfare and security of all our staff.”
Karl said: “I have always been involved in agriculture and I visited Borderway many times when I was a boy. In the past I used to keep about 30 Texels so I have been on the other side of the farmstock fence as well.
“Over 20 years I have dealt with every aspect of facilities and operations management, and I am looking forward to bringing all my knowledge and experience to bear on keeping the Borderway facilities compliant and fit for purpose.”
New Lake District farming officer is appointed
The National Park Authority has recently welcomed a new farming officer to join its team, tasked with supporting the Lake District farming community.
Claire Foster has moved to the Lakes from Yorkshire and brings with her a wealth of experience that stands her in good stead to hit the ground running in her new role, which she describes as a passion, not a job.
During her work as an independent farm adviser in Yorkshire, Claire has supported predominantly upland beef and sheep farmers to access many environmental grants and schemes.
Added to this is seven years’ experience as Farmer Coordinator for The Farmer Network, covering Nidderdale and the Eastern Yorkshire Dales. But she recognises that much of her working knowledge of upland farming is linked to her time spent living in Nidderdale, and her connection to Swaledale sheep.
Claire said: “Although it’s sad to leave the farming community of Nidderdale where I have spent the last 12 years supporting farmers there and living at the very centre of this community on a beef and sheep farm, I felt the time was right for a new challenge.
“I’m looking forward to getting out and about meeting Lake District farmers and attending shows and shepherds’ meets to get to know more about Lake District Farming methods and learn about this incredible landscape.
“I know the Lake District is very different to the upland areas I have previously worked in, particularly with commoning and fell farming and their respective challenges. But I know that many farmers are facing an uncertain future, and I am ready to learn fast and work hard to be able to improve this outlook.”
New head of antiques and fine art at Mitchells Auction Company
Mitchells Auction Company has appointed a new head of antiques, fine art and country sports to run their saleroom in Cockermouth.
James Moore takes over from Mark Wise who is stepping down after more than 30 years at Mitchells during which time he developed the business into the Lake District’s leading auctioneers and one of the most respected regional salerooms in the country.
Mark will continue as a non-executive director on Mitchells’ board and remain in a consultant capacity.
Mark said: “The time is right to hand over the reins and James Moore couldn’t be more qualified having been the saleroom manager here at Mitchells for many years. He already knows the business inside out, which will make for a smooth transition, and he has expertise in both antiques and fine art, particularly the work of local artists.
James said: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity and am already proactively seeking more entries of antiques, fine art, sporting goods and toys for our specialist sales. We’re now offering free drop-in valuations at our Cockermouth saleroom during office hours and are making it easier for communities further afield to access our services too.”
